Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain sparred about domestic policy during their second presidential debate.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The third and final presidential debate is shaping up to be a make-or-break appearance for both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, one of the last chances to get their message out to undecided voters.

The debate, taking place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, begins at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday and will be aired live on CNN and CNN.com.

The 90-minute face-off will undoubtedly focus on the economic crisis plaguing the country. And unlike at the other two debates, the candidates will sit at a table facing one another.

CBS News' Bob Schieffer, host of "Face the Nation," will moderate the debate and told The Associated Press on Sunday that he will be seeking more on what each will bring to the presidency.

soundoff(201 Responses)

republican for obama

Obama is ready to lead, he has definitely proven this over the past month. Mccain looks like he has nothing left in the tank(as do many drivers in America), and Palin might as well start a group called The Hater's Club. She should write a book about how to rally violent behavior. Go Obama and Biden; two men with integrity.

October 14, 2008 05:14 pm at 5:14 pm |

The Fab One

I agree. If you're undecided at this point, you're probably the one I'm standing behind in the grocery store with my one item while you have a whole basket full, and you can't decide if you'll get Doublemint gum or Hubba Bubba. Either way, if you can't make your minds up after over 1 1/2 years of campaigning, you're dead from the neck up anyway (meatheaded) and shouldn't be allowed to vote.

Just my opinion.

October 14, 2008 05:14 pm at 5:14 pm |

Sean

IF MCCain brings up Ayers and Reverand Wright, Obama should bring up Keating 5 and Troopergate.

October 14, 2008 05:14 pm at 5:14 pm |

Randy PA

Its time for America to have proactive, smart, disciplined and intellectual leadership.
For too long we've been saddled with incurious, incompetent and unimaginative leaders of average intellect with demonstrated failings of not completely understanding the complex world we live in, the deeply woven interdependencies/intricacies, nuances and a fundamental ability to see issues in gray versus black or white, us or them, right or left.
Its certainly time for serious folk to be running serious business.
Go Obama 08.

October 14, 2008 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

the other jd

And unlike at the other two debates, the candidates will sit at a table facing one another.

But will McCain actually LOOK at Obama?

October 14, 2008 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

NoObama

As soon as Mccain goes negative with racial hatred and divisive insinuation, everyone in America will tip the balance toward Obama.

This will be a presidential win by the largest margin ever in US history.

October 14, 2008 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

Scott NYC Independent

Sure let the old man sit down; that way he doesn't have to keep moving because his balance is off and he can't stand still.

Old men with Alzheimer’s never get it – they live in their own little worlds and come out to look upon reality ever now and then. Its the decease that affects their mental judgment. McCain would say he is winning even on November 5th. McCain needs to be diagnosed.

October 14, 2008 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

Central Florida

There is sadly nothing that McCain can say at this point to restore the respect I used to have for him. The adopted tactics of Karl Rove show how far McCain has fallen from 2000.

October 14, 2008 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

former republican

McCain is old and out of touch. You can clearly see this during the debates. My vote is for Obama all the way.

October 14, 2008 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

Linda, Wisconsin

McCain/Palin have proved to voters that they are dishonest, to say the least! FactCheck has shown many things they have said are misleading or false, rarely true. Palin doesn't even know what McCain is saying half the time. Pitbulls sometimes go after each other, I guess that's the case here.

McCain plans to bring up some of these false allegations tomorrow night. What a mistake!

October 14, 2008 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |

CMG

Please John, no dancing....we had enough of that last time. No attempted humor, you failed on that count as well. And for a real change, no lies. Won't that be worth turning on one's television. ...

October 14, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

Confused

CNN, why don't you cover McCain's connection with G. Gordon Liddy? McCain is not clean so stop acting like he is some saint!

October 14, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Average American

INDEED! The last stand!

Time to send McCain on a train and Palin sailin'!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 14, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Jkay - KCMO

Question???? Can Bob Schieffer ask McCain if it is at all possible when he meets with the Iran psycho...would he not address him as "my friends"???? Would he look his foe in the eye or have Palin simply wink ourselves into a disastrous war????

October 14, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

banderson

I would advise all of Obama-Biden supporters to keep their eyes and ears open for the next act coming from the Republicans in this election. They have been laying the groundwork for some challenges to any close Obama win in any battle ground state. This is why you are seeing and hearing so much emphasis on this group call ACORN. Don't become complacent, get out the Vote!!!

October 14, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Jonathan

CNN please post this:

Who are these undecided voters??? As long as this campaign as has been going on, the choice should be "crystal clear" by now......if you like what's been going on in this country for the last 8 years and would like to be set back 40 years, then vote for the McSame/Palin "Barbie" ticket. BUT!!..............If you are "sick and tired" of being "sick and tired" and are ready for this country to start a "new chapter" and move forward in the 21st Centry, then vote for who I will be voting for on tomorrow when Early Voting begins......................BARACK OBAMA (you know......."That One"!!!)

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

October 14, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Red

Well, the Republicans are rapidly becoming the party of lowered expectations, so i'll say that ifMcCain can speak without giving applause lines that just hang awkwardly, then he wins.

October 14, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

milo

It's probably too late already but yeah, barring a huge "october surprise" along the lines of a terrorist attack, this is McCain's last big chance.

I'm guessing it will be a rehash of the first two, with Mac MAYBE trying to bring up Ayers and only succeeding in making himself look foolish.

October 14, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

FAYE, NV

Obama is the one to look for solutions and to regain respect for Internationals. I am repulsed by McCain.

October 14, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

Ambrose Smith, Borrego Springs, California

McCain has run out of ammo!

Obama has taken the shots and still stands tall and remains focused.

McCain is in a tailspin!

October 14, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

Dan

This is one of the sadest comment forums I have read yet. With it's ignorant, uninformed, commentary....it's just sad. I hope that this country survives the aftermath of this election. Debate or no debate...it doesn't matter at this point, people are going to vote for, in their mind, the lesser of two evils.
Republican or Democrat, both parties got shafted one way or another in this political game, and that is what it is at this point. So all I can say is....I am proud to be american, we are free, and we are brave. If the candidates don't cut we have the right not to choose...could you imagine if neither one of the candidates were elected...what then!

October 14, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

John from Morgantown

It's the economy, stupid.

John McCain has a lot of the country distracted, thinking about how Barack Obama knows a domestic terrorist (and doesn't agree with any of his points of view), has an "anti-American" pastor (whose church he has left), and how a voter registration group, who John McCain has also worked with AND who Barack Obama has said they didn't need any of the fraudulent registrations, put in some duplicate sheets. Let me say it again:

It's the economy, stupid.

I don't give two Scheissen whether a presidential candidate "connects personally" with me. I want to know if they will do the right thing for the country; if they will change what has been going wrong into something that works. If you think about that, there is really only one obvious choice:

Obama/Biden '08. Give 'em hell.

October 14, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

Nando, Florida

MCCAIN'S ALAMO - WE KNOW HOW THAT TURNED OUT !!!!

October 14, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

stephen

I like mccain's plan to protect all savings for 6 months by just ordering it so... So why does Bush do it now and not have to wait 3 months when the situation may be worse??????

October 14, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

carol

This is the last chance to watch how a President should look and act and be informed of the needs of the people.
As we have seen in the other two debates Sen Obama has won hands down and I know he will do just as well tomorrow.....cool, calm and respectful.
John McCain has shown over the past several days his true colours
and they haven't been pretty.....the honorable side of him has long gone and a bitter, angry man has emerged.
Time for change absolutely......time for Sen Obama....you betcha!!!!